The Bluffton town is in grief, following the death of one of its police officers. Officer Dominic Francis, 42, of Bluffton, was murdered in the course of duty on Thursday.

According to police, Francis was using stop sticks to interfere in a high-speed chase when he was hit by the car being chased.

Troopers from the Marion Patrol Post noticed a dark-colored car going at a high rate of speed on state route 23 northbound at approximately 2 a.m. but were unable to make contact with the vehicle.

A Findlay Post trooper later recognized the car as a black Infiniti sedan on state Route 15 in Hancock County at 2:20 a.m.

The suspect car continued to leave on state Route 15 and then onto Interstate 75 southbound, according to authorities.

How Did Bluffton Police Officer Die?

Officer Dominic Francis, 42, of the Bluffton Police Department, was attempting to deploy stop sticks on Interstate 75 near exit 142 at 2:30 a.m. when he was struck by a fleeing car. Officer Francis died as a result of his injuries sustained in the collision.